As the owner or manager of a newly minted business, you are likely inclined to engage independent contractors to design your web site, create your marketing materials and perhaps even provide services to your clients. Engaging an independent contractor is often more attractive than hiring an employee as a way […]

Websites and internet-based startups are booming. Many startups thrive by collecting data about their online users’ age, gender and geography and interpreting that data to predict consumer preferences and demand. In addition, many third party marketing services pay a premium for useful consumer data. Startups often find that data is […]

Start-up companies should ensure that they exclusively own intellectual property (“IP”) they purchase or develop. While a company generally owns IP that an employee develops, IP that an independent contractor creates (such as a website developer, a freelance photographer or graphic artist, or a friend trying to help) may be […]

The software industry is a boom-or-bust competitive arena marked by disruptive innovation, alliances of convenience, frequent redefinition of product categories and unexpected platform shifts, all leading to vendor failures, strategic acquisitions, niche consolidation and, ultimately, orphan products. When a vendor is no longer able or willing to support its product […]